Once a Cheater

Forbidden #2

by Z.S. Storm

Book 2 of the FORBIDDEN series!!*Synopsis*Sometimes, happy endings are not all they are cut out to be.Relationships take work when misunderstandings, fights and insecurities creep in and people have to make hard choices.'Once a Cheater' is a novel exploring the dark side of relationships focusing on five individuals introduced in the previous book of the FORBIDDEN series.Join Skye, Jasper, Cole, Jasmine and Armaan as they navigate the ups and downs of a live-in relationship/marriage.How far of a step is a person willing to take just to erase pain from their hearts? Can forgiveness be an option when someone you care about intentionally hurts you? And the most important question of all...Can love survive betrayal?*This story contains mature themes meant for 18+ readers only. Proceed with caution.*Trigger warning: Infidelity.

326 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2020

About the author

Z. S. STORM started writing stories when he was 9 years old and has worked long and hard to turn it into a full time career. Music is his first love though, and he's recently gone back to that, finding expression through singing, dancing and performance arts. He enjoys spoiling himself and using body language and movement to convey emotions when words fail him. He likes hearing from fans and readers, so you can always contact him through email: z.s.storm.author@gmail.com
Check out his website for more info. Or connect with him on Instagram: @mr_zsstorm (Zayn Storm)

Reviews

[D.L. Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that we’re tackling a strong alpha woman. This is a very common discussion between my girlfriends and I. I think the main contention is that while alpha men might prefer submissive women. Alpha women are constantly looking for a worthy alpha man. 🤔

It’s interesting that I liked Armaan when we were first introduced. When he bitched out Cole for being tardy. But the more he’s around Jasmine, the weaker he appears and I like him less and less. He’s like a brat.

I obviously have a love/hate relationship with Jasmine.

I’m so disappointed in Jasper. I’d gladly kick him in the balls.

Oh Skye, I wish I could hug you.

Omfg men who blame women’s pregnancy hormones on anything deserve to be flogged!

Not gonna lie, this was hard for me. Because I have a soft spot for Skye and you all are hurting my baby! On the other hand, I love to hate Jasper so those needs were met lol.

This book did exactly what I believe it set out to do. To elicit strong emotions. Love them or hate them, you know you’re coming back for more.

[Kelly_Reads_Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review is difficult for me because I loved the first 2 books so much and needed to hear what happened to this trio next. I'm not sure of how I feel about this married couple being in the mix.
I love Zee Shine Storm's stories. She always introduces us to complex characters who find themselves in such interesting predicaments.

[BookLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once a Cheater Book 2

Boom 🤯 what a story 😱 twists, turns, angst, drama, heartbreak and cheating although I won’t say who. I felt all sorts of emotions reading this which just shows the skill the author has at drawing her reader in. I could not see how this was going to end and by now I’ve read enough of Zee’s books to know I might not get a happily ever after 💔

I still don’t like Jasmine any bettering in this book but now I find myself not liking Armaan for the decisions he’s made. So much manipulation and deceit makes him a flawed person. I’m personally not comfortable with the cheating trope so I had to adjust my own mindset and personal views to really delve into this story but the characters all have flaws and issues that make the story all the more real. None of us is perfect that’s for sure.

This is told in five points of view which I enjoyed and we got to know Cole and Jasper through a mix of past and present. Loved that and hot damn their relationship is hot 🥵

This was a tough read but a great read and I’m left with so many emotions running around in my head. Well done Zee, I loved it.

[Aya · Rating 1 out of 5]

ruined a good relationship with cheating. that whole storyline was simply unnecessary and ruined jaspers and Cole's character as well as all three books. And don't even get me started on jasmine. She deserves to go to hell.

[Reading With Lola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once a Cheater (Forbidden #2) - Zee Shine Storm

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

::: SPOILER-FREE REVIEW :::

Rating: 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

THIS. BOOK. BROKE. MY. HEART. INTO. A. THOUSAND. LITTLE. PIECES. 💔

Storm managed to blew my mind!!!This book was so real!!

So Jasmine

She is married to Armaan and we meet both of them in the first book... I don't know whether to hate or love Jasmine. I relate to her in so many ways. She and her husband are Arab and it comes with a pressure. You have to always do your best to present yourself well because everything you do reflects on the family. (I really relate to that)

Jasmine feels empty and lost. She feels controlled and manipulated by her husband. She just wants to be free.

And then she meets Jasper..
Jasper is already in a relationship with both Cole and Skype.
For the first time they meet we can see that there is attraction between them..She starts teasing him..and very soon they become friends...

At first Jasper tries to resist Jasmine's charm..but she makes him feel free..

Jasper....mmmm well he is hot and sexy!!!! But I'm not sure how you'll feel about him...maybe you like him or hate him...

I loved him in the first book... I don't know about now though 😢 (he should've known better)

My heart broke for Skye, Cole and Armaan. But Cole... is he even a real person. I love his beautiful heart. ❤

THIS. BOOK. DESTROYED. ME. I swear it felt like my chest was ripped open and my heart was pulled out. If you read the blurb then you are very much aware that this book involves cheating. With that being said you should be prepared for love, loss and heartache.

Because this book is real. It showed love and its beautiful nature but also the harsh reality of life. Relationships are not always butterflies and roses... people fuck up. And sometimes we have to choose to either forgive or move on.

This was one of the most beautiful and broken love story I ever read... You'll cry, you'll scream, you'll get angry but most importantly you'll feel each person's heartache but trust me you won't regret reading this serie...

I highly recommend it ... Don't miss these amazing books! Go and read them all ASAP

[Sultanah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this book it didn’t come to me that I wouldn’t stop till I finished it .. the author style of writing make the story feel life !! .. I felt every emotion from every character like i was there with them .. usually I don’t like book dealing with infidelity since most writers make it seems easy and forgettable however in this book it was a way to show each character emotion and weakness , how there love for each other change them and maybe not for the better, how strong or week is the relationship and forced them to grow and make a life decision... really loved this book and definitely will read the whole series 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[Andrea ( books_fiction_desire ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once A Cheater , the second book in the series had been a complete emotional roller coaster of events and drama. What was once a beautiful romance triangle has become a complete new level of clusterfuck. After you throw in another couple in the mix of three everything seems to get out of hand.
While Cole and Skye have this perfect relationship, Jasper is slowly starting to get away because of that one kiss he shared with Jasmine.
God, the drama in this book made my stomach turn and I couldn’t get enough. Let’s just say I had to jump in the next book right away to see where this is all going.

This is a very addicting story with so much going on and I would highly recommend it !!!

[Mrs D · Rating 4 out of 5]

So the second in the series. From being a happy throuple, a holiday with a work colleague and his wife starts a downwards spiral. Jasper starts flirting with the unhappy wife Jasmine. A kiss leads to a separation and a deal with the devil. Jasper seems happy to be cheating on his partners, and Skye isn’t going to take it anymore. I did go from hating Jasper to feeling sorry for him, Jasmine and her estranged husband Armaan, l hated all the way through. The end of this second book, no one was happy and l do want to see how it ends.

[Danial · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is told from several points of views. Similar to the first book, I was not able to stop reading once I started. The author has done a splendid job in giving depth and character to all characters - including the minor characters. This book did change my perception of some of the characters from the first book (I still dislike Skye tho).
I enjoyed the ending and I am certainly intrigued to see what the author does in the next book.

I received a review copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[bookishfrag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh God, what did I get myself into. This book wretched me, heart and soul. It’s not easy to make me cry but I definitely shed tears in here. Oh God, the pain. I can’t :’(

It is the continuation of Skye, Cole and Jasper’s story along with Armaan, Cole’s business partner and his wife Jasmine. In here one of them supposedly cheats on his partner and it’s so devastating even though he did it for some justifiable reasons. He could’ve definitely avoided the deed but, ugh! I just don’t know how the hell they’ll get past this. How will they find their way back to each other.
PLEASE LET THEM FIND THEIR WAY BACK 😭

Some highlights of the book for me were:
1. The depth of feelings Jasper has for his whole family even though he hides behind his arrogance.
2. Cole and Jasper’s flashbacks! I sucked them up hard! 😍

Also, I kinda hated Armaan in this one maybe I’ll like him again in the next book. 🙊
I HIGHLY recommend this even though this book has shredded me and my heart to billions of pieces.

— bookishfrag

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 is really sad. Kinda depressing because the trio’s broken. I hate Jasper and at the same time admire him. Cole if your even a true person in real life, hands down to your beautiful heart. You have a heart of gold inspite all your insecurities in life.

[Rudy.reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I binge read three books ...in two days.. I love the passion these books are written with. You fall into the scenes in this series, and become engulfed in emotions becoming one with the characters. I fell in love with the characters every single one and couldn't put the books down.

[Give_Arthur_A_Hug · Rating 5 out of 5]

How Zee writes cheating, the thought processes behind it, and consequences is fascinating. Some authors write cheating then they have the characters act like it’s nothing. Like it’s an everyday thing that’s happened. This book is very well written.

[Isabela Luiziana Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again mind blown by the author. A roller coaster of emotions spiced with reality. You start reading, you can't stop and you want more... It's simple like that.

[Sarbojita Mukherjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and the whole series is so freaking amazing. I blessed to have read this throughout its journey along with the author. You'll fall in love with the characters and wouldn't be able to get enough of these people. Go read it now!!!

[Jessica S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and it continues where the first one ended.
First of all I loved the flashbacks of how Jasper and cole got together and how there relationship evolved.
I knew by the title someone was about to cheat. First I thought don't let it be Jasper, he finally got to be with Skye after Cole gave his consent they all could be together then I thought oh no let it not be Cole (because he's got jealous and wants something for himself) he's got Jasper for 7 years and now even Skye is part of their relationship. That and their suppose to be happy with her being pregnant and all 3 becoming parents. Then I hoped it wasn't Jasmine because Armaan absolutely loves and adores her and worship the ground she walks on. So in my mind I thought it must have been Armaan who was the cheater. Boy was I wrong it was one of the guys.
Honestly I never cried so hard reading a book. I felt so sorry for everyone except Jasmine(I'm sorry but I can't get even an shred of sympathy for her). At first when finding out about the cheating party in this story I was so pissed. How could they do that and to the one they loved. Then further in the story you find out why they did what they did. And still I was so pissed,and at the same time did understand it just a tiny bit.
I knew the book was about a cheating party, so before starting it I did mentally prepare myself. But damn this was so well written it kind of felt like it was happening to me. I just finished it in one go, because I couldn't stop reading it when I started so even though it's 2.50 in the morning I still need to get the review of my chest. And don't think I will get an easy night. My emotions are all over the place right now. All the lying, cheating, every one keeping secrets from eachother and after all this you still have a tiny bit of hope there all going to work things out and everyone will have their happily ever after.


Edit after a restless night with 2 hours sleep

I was like oh shit when *** did anal with ***. He didn't even did that with Skye, or when he couldn't get a hard-on after 2 weeks with *** and seeing *** and Skye. That was the point you knew there was no coming back from that. And that he left his phone just lying around it was like he wanted to get cought. Just to get it over with. For some reason it felt like *** betrayed me personally,by betraying *** and Skye. And that alone made this book one of the best ones I read in a really long time. I was so into the story it felt like this was happening to me.
This is something not many writers can do.
I will for sure start reading the next book today. I've had about 2 hours of sleep and in those two I dreamed about the book.
Which actually is an amazing accomplishment. Normally I could shed my feelings of a book and go(relatively peaceful) to sleep. Not get haunted by the book.

That alone makes me love this series even more.

[Slide Between the Pages · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the story of Skye, Jasper and Cole as they navigate through an unexpected pregnancy, including not knowing who the father is. There is also a cross over with another couple being Jasmine and Armaan.

Jasper is fighting with his baser desires, while also recovering from some recent health scares and wanting to feel more like himself again. He accompanies Cole and Skye on holidays with Jasmine and Armaan.

Jasmine and Armaan are a newlywed couple of 10 months, and while they have passionate intimate relations they have very little emotional connection.

Cut to Jasper and Jasmine leaning on each other to support each other through a difficult time and next thing they are in a complicated friendship with benefits. There is more than meets the eye with their relationship, as there is a connection between Jasper and Armaan also.

Overall this book is full of angst, heartbreak and devastation. You will not get a HEA between Jasper, Cole and Skye in this book however, you will want to read on to the next book to find out what happens. I could not put it down.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the series brings a cast of strong characters and an interesting story line. The author does a great job building the story and had me glued to the pages with all the drama and heartbreak ,twists and turns and bringing out your emotions as to what is happening in the story. She paints her scenes perfectly and delivers another great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Want To Hate This Book

Wow, I knew there would be issues but did not expect the twist this story took. I am not happy about it. I have read my share of MFM stories and they came close to being a relationship disaster but love always seemed to prevail. If you like messy, I can recommend this series. On to book three, even though I have a feeling it won't make me happy either.

[Linda MARIE Pankow · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this one so much, even though most the time I was ready to cry, I give it a full 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

But here's why...

I loved the way the subject of cheating was approached in this one. The worst parts really hit me hard. But the part I hate wasn't the cheating, directly, but the lies.

I recommend this book to anyone who's in need of a hefty dose of drama 🙂